Description:
Surrogacy is one of the fast evolving means of assisted reproduction. It is gaining popularity as it is of immense help to those who do not want to become pregnant or who cannot conceive due to various medical issues. It is also a boon for gay or lesbian couples.
Surrogacy in most developed countries however, involves a huge expenditure and lot of legal hassles. In the US, the laws governing surrogacy vary from state to state. In a study of surrogacy laws in 51 states, it was found that a mere 14 states permit gestational surrogacy for married couples only, where as it is unclear in about 7 states.
Commercial surrogacy arrangements are illegal in the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Australia, Spain and China, while Japan still seems to be ambivalent toward surrogate childbirth. In most other developed countries like Germany, the legal situation of surrogate motherhood is very restrictive. Also it is estimated that the entire cost of surrogacy including payment for a surrogate mother ranges between US$50,000 and $100,000. These two primary reasons have led to the growing tendency of opting for surrogacy overseas, a prime and favoured destination being India.
Surrogacy has set its strong foothold in India and has witnessed number of successful cases. Surrogacy charges in India are approximately a fraction of what these are in the developed countries. There are not much legal issues and complicacies involved. There are only certain guidelines issued by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on surrogacy and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART), but as of now, there is no law on surrogacy in India. Another major factor favouring India for surrogacy is fairly advanced health care system which includes expert team of surrogacy specialists, IVF doctors, and treatment technologies. Many hospitals in India help couples find surrogates. One will not even face a language barrier in India since English is the second most highly spoken language.
Surrogacy Overseas increases the realm of medical tourism of the host nation. This becomes an added bonus to the economy and aids development. Medical tourism in India is fast growing and is expected to turn into a 1-2 billion dollar business by 2012. Indian surrogacy is already a $445 million-a-year business. In the past three years, a single clinic in India's western state of Gujarat has more than 50 surrogate mothers on its books, half to Westerners or Indians living overseas. But since a country like India has most available surrogates belonging to the lower strata, concerns of health become a serious issue. So a commissioning couple must ascertain the health and medical condition of the person before agreeing on a surrogate mother.
Surrogacy creates life and brings smile in childless families. Helpless couples fulfil their wishes of parenthood. One can also vouch for the medical tourism option before signing the contract for surrogacy. This will help in understanding the methods and ways of surrogacy and one will be able to make a sound decision since it involves lots of money and human emotions.
|
NEWSROOM - Latest Updates
